Chapter 8 - The Woman Who Died Twice
The second cassette was recorded four years later.
That should have been impossible.
Emma sat rigid as Samuel pressed PLAY.
Evelyn’s voice came through weaker this time.
“My name is Evelyn Johnson Lane. Today is October 11, 1997.”
Emma’s eyes filled instantly.
Her father had told her Evelyn died in the summer of 1998.
“I survived the crash,” Evelyn continued. “Richard told everyone I was unstable. He took Emma. He says I can see her if I stop calling my family.”
David whispered, “Jesus.”
“I signed papers I didn’t understand because I was on medication. I woke up in a private clinic. Richard said Samuel refused to come.”
Samuel stood so fast the chair fell backward.
“He told her that?”
The tape went on.
“I don’t believe him anymore. If Samuel ever hears this—Sammy, I never stopped trying.”
Samuel walked away, pressing both hands to his head.
Emma was crying openly now.
The tape ended with an address.
Westbrook Recovery Center.
Ruiz searched her database.
The center had closed in 2004 after a fraud investigation.
“Patient records?” Emma asked.
“Some were transferred to the county. Some vanished.”
Samuel turned. “We find them.”
They did not have to wait long.
That afternoon, Ruiz called from the sheriff’s office.
“We found an admission record for Evelyn Lane.”
Emma gripped the phone. “And?”
“She was admitted in 1993 after an automobile accident. Richard Lane was listed as spouse and legal decision-maker.”
Samuel’s voice was sharp. “Discharge date?”
Ruiz paused.
“She wasn’t discharged in 1998.”
Emma’s heart hammered.
“When?”
“Two thousand fourteen.”
The room went silent.
Emma whispered, “My mother was alive until 2014?”
Ruiz answered carefully.
“Alive at least until then.”
“Where did she go?”
“That’s the problem.”
Emma closed her eyes.
May you like
Ruiz continued.
“The person who signed her out was Richard Lane.”
